Who Is Jesus: The Image and The Firstborn (Part I)

Sermon Title: Who Is Jesus: The Revealing of Someone Great

Good News Statement: Jesus invites us to know who he is

Preached: Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Dogwood Prairie and Seed Chapel UMC

Pastor Daniel G. Skelton, M.Div.

 

Scripture (NRSV): Colossians 1:1-15 Today’s scripture reading comes from Paul’s letter to the people of Colossae. Paul is hearing word from Ephesus that the Colossians are doing well in their faith but have lost sight of who Jesus is in their life. So, Paul writes a letter describing and defining who Jesus is. Let’s read Colossians Chapter One, verses One thru Fifteen. May the hearing and reading of this scripture add understanding and meaning to your life.

Salutation

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

² To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Paul Thanks God for the Colossians

³ In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴ for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, ⁵ because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. ⁷ This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰ so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. ¹¹ May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. ¹³ He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Supremacy of Christ

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation,

This is the Word of God for the People of God; And all God’s people said, “Thanks be to God.”

 

Introduction:

Several weeks ago, as we were preparing for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we found ourselves lining the streets of Jerusalem, laying down our cloaks, shouting “Hosannas”, and waving our palm branches high in the air as Jesus road into town on a humble and gentle donkey. On that day, we found ourselves hearing a question that we don’t often ask ourselves: the people were asking “Who Is This?” Matthew 21:10 shares, “When he [Jesus] entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’” The question asked on Palm Sunday nearly 2,000 years ago remains the question for us to consider today and for the next several weeks.

Who is this who could take men such as Peter, James and John and turn those fishermen from Capernaum into household names in every corner of the earth? Who is this that could take a Pharisee named Saul—an opponent to Christianity—and in a single encounter on the Damascus Road turn him into the chief proponent of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Who is this who can take people who passed through the dark night of sorrow and suffering and transform them into people of hope and grace? Who is this who can take the sons and daughters of poverty and limited means and bring them into lives of promise and prosperity and potential? Who is this who can look upon injustice all over the world and infuse the people living under oppression and injustice with the belief that things can be better? Who is this who can cause people to take off their coats and lay them on the ground? Who is this for who people would tear palm branches off the trees to create a carpet and wave them high in the air as a sign of victory? Who is this that can save us now? Who is this?

“Who is this?” Those in the crowd said, “This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth in Galilee.” All they could say is that he is like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos or one of the prophets. That is what all but one of the disciples told Jesus in the 16th chapter of Matthew when He asked them, “Who do the people say that I am?” The best they could say was, “Some say you are Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist or another prophet.” That was as far as their minds could reach. What they said was not wrong, but it was insufficient. Thank God for that one disciple who had a different response. Thank God for Peter who declared: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

When was the last time you thought about who Jesus is in your life? When was the last time you read the name Jesus or saw an interpretation of Jesus and said, “That is who and what Jesus is to me.” If someone approached you right now and asked, “Who is Jesus to you?”, would you be able to answer right away or would you have to take a few moments to compile your thoughts because you don’t know who Jesus is to you? If that’s you, you are not alone. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to similar people in the town of Colossae, which was destroyed by an earthquake somewhere between 61 and 62 AD. When this letter was written, Colossae was a small, agricultural city with a diverse population that had seen better times.

But the good news of Jesus had reached that town before the earthquake arrived. A church had started. But that church had a problem: they had a high view of Jesus, but they were tempted to start to hold on to things that had nothing to do with Jesus. In other words, their view of Jesus started to become obscured by other things. They wanted to add some Jewish legalism, ritualism, and mysticism to their faith in Jesus. Therefore, Paul wrote a letter to the people of Colossae challenging them to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?” hoping to re-center their focus. For the next few weeks, we are going to explore this question and rely on Paul’s words to help us define who Jesus is. We begin by examining Jesus’ supremacy.

Body:

Paul begins his letter to the people of Colossae, which he supposedly wrote while in Ephesus, with a salutation and then offers a structure of thanksgiving. Paul wrote, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.” In this brief salutation, we know who is writing this letter—Paul, who is an apostle of Christ and ordained by the will of God—and Timothy, who happens to be travelling with Paul during this time; and we know who the letter is being written for—the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Colossae.

Paul continues, “In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit” (Colossians 1:1-8). In this section of thanksgiving, Paul acknowledges that the people of Colossae are aware of the faith, hope, and love found in Christ because they have heard and received the truth—the good news, the gospel stories—from one named Epaphras. Paul sees good things coming from the people of Colossae, but he also notices that there is still work to be done when it comes to being fully committed or “mature” in Christ which is why he chooses to define and describe Jesus to the people.

Before Paul begins his description of Jesus, Paul tells the people that he has been praying for them. Paul notes, “For this reason, since the day we heard it, (since the day you began losing sight of who Jesus is) we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light” (Colossians 1:9-12).  Paul prays that the people of Colossae “be filled with the knowledge of God’s will,” that they may “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him,” “be made strong by God’s glorious power,” and embrace “endurance and patience” while “joyfully giving thanks to the Father.” Paul sees hope in these people, and he is trying to help them find their way back to Christ.

Then, Paul ends with words by which cause the people to begin thinking about who Jesus Christ is in their life. After praying that the people begin acting in ways that reflect the character and nature of God, Paul reminds the people in verses thirteen through fourteen, God “has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). God is our rescuer from the darkness of life—from the pain, grief, suffering, and doubt—but Jesus is the redeemer—the forgiver of our sins, the liberator from bondage, and the one who sets us free from the chains of life. Paul begins to describe Jesus but were the people listening? Paul tells us that Jesus is a redeemer, but I know that Jesus is much more than that. So, who is Jesus?

Movement One: How People View Jesus Today

Who is Jesus to you? A survey administered in June 2022 by Gallup Poll regarding this very question concluded, “Eight in 10, about 84% of, Americans have consistently held the belief that Jesus Christ is God or the Son of God.” Examining the Gallup data in greater detail, one will discover that “about half of this group holds the orthodox position—that Jesus was in fact God living among people—while most of the remainder believe that Jesus was divine only in the sense that he was a man who was uniquely called by God to reveal God’s purpose in the world.”

Identifying that Jesus is the “Son of God” is an accurate description of who Jesus is. In Luke 1:35, in the Annunciation, before the birth of Jesus, the angel tells Mary that her child “shall be called the Son of God.” Additionally, in Luke 4:41 and Mark 3:11, when Jesus casts out demons, they fall down before him, and declare: “You are the Son of God.” John the Baptist affirms this claim when he states, “And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34). After calming the storm, those in the boat worshipped Jesus, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33). And Simon Peter accurately describes who Jesus is when he said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Lastly, the Roman Centurion, a neither non-believer nor follower, at the cross looks at Jesus and acknowledges that this man was the “Son of God” (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; and Luke 23:47). Describing Jesus as the Son of God is accurate and appropriate, but Jesus has gained many other descriptions through the past 2,000 years.

Several years ago, individuals went to the streets of New York City and asked random people “Who is Jesus?” Here are some of the people’s answers: “Jesus is a white guy with a beard, who looks like he is from the 60s; Jesus died for our sins so that we can be saved; Jesus is the reason to believe and to continue on in your life and your journey; Jesus is a story made up by someone; Jesus is the Son of God; Jesus is my Lord and Savior; There is something special about Jesus; Jesus has good morals and beliefs; Jesus is Jewish; Jesus is a normal person; Jesus is a marketing genius because he got people to believe in him; Jesus is a symbol of forgiveness; Jesus sees things what we do not see; and Jesus is a close friend.” Towards the end of the video, one person said, “I don’t know who Jesus is. I don’t know Jesus very well” and another person walked away from the interviewer. Even after 2,000 years, after Jesus paraded down the streets of Jerusalem, people are still asking “Who is this,” who is Jesus; and many people will give many different answers.

More structurally sound is the description of Jesus from The United Methodist Book of Discipline. Article II of our Confession of Faith asserts, “We believe in Jesus Christ, truly God and truly Man, in whom the divine and human natures are perfectly and inseparably united. He is the eternal Word made flesh, the only begotten Son of the Father, born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit….He is eternal Savior and Meditator, who intercedes for us, and by him all men will be judged” (The United Methodist Book of Discipline 2016, para. 104, pg. 73). Jesus is truly God, is truly man, is divine, is human, is the Word made flesh according to John’s Gospel, was born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, is our Savior, is our Meditator, and is our judge. Jesus is all these things and so much more. So, who is Jesus to you? Let’s get some help from Paul!

Movement Two: The Image of the Invisible God

Paul notes in his letter to the people of Colossae under a section titled The Supremacy of Christ, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation…” (Colossians 1:15). First, Jesus “is the image of the invisible God” (1:15). Jesus is no mere man. He is the image of the invisible God. This means that if you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. You can’t see God, but people saw Jesus. Deuteronomy 4:12 notes, “Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice.” Exodus 33:20 tells us, “He [God] said, ‘You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.’” In John’s first epistle, we read, “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us” (1 John 4:12). Lastly, 1 Timothy 1:17 states, “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God be honor and glory.” In Greek, invisible is often translated as haoratos, which means invisible or unseen. So, God, as God, is unseen. God is unseen according to John Piper because God is a spirit who has no body. We can’t see the spirit of God because our sinful and corrupted nature has caused us to go blind. God is too great, too bright, and too glorious for us to see Him which is why He sent His only begotten Son down to earth so that our eyes would be opened to the amazing grace and salvation in our life. To see the invisibility of God means that we finally understand and discern His beauty and glory in our life through Jesus Christ.

In the narrative of the Bible, we see the glory of God and finally we see Him face to face through Christ. John 1:14 and 18 informs us, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father…. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” By looking at Jesus you get a clear picture of who God is and what He’s like. Jesus made the invisible visible, the unseen seen. He is, as Hebrews 1:3 tells us, “The radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.”

The idea of seeing the unseen through what is seen reminds me of a book I read in junior high. The book is titled Things Not Seen written by Andrew Clements. “Set in contemporary Chicago, the story begins with a typical day in Bobby’s life. A high school student dealing with the usual teenage struggles and pressures, Bobby is navigating the challenges of adolescence when he is suddenly confronted with an inexplicable and baffling circumstance. Overnight, he has become invisible to the naked eye, an anomaly that defies reason and comprehension. As Bobby grapples with his newfound condition, he is forced to confront the isolation and fear that accompanies his invisibility. Unable to be seen or heard, he must navigate the world relying solely on his own instincts and knowledge…. The narrative takes us through the intriguing series of events that unfold as Bobby embarks on a journey to discover the cause of his invisibility and find a way to reverse it. Along the way, he encounters unexpected allies, including another outsider named Alicia, who offers him solace and companionship in a world that no longer sees him. Together, they embark on a quest to uncover the truth, leading them to encounter a range of thrilling and dangerous situations.” (bookey.app).

What I remember from this book relates to describing Jesus as being the visible image of the invisible God. Andrew Clements writes, “True beauty lies in the unseen, the things that are felt but not spoken.” In a world that often prioritizes appearances, this quote reminds us that there is a profound depth to beauty that goes beyond what meets the eye. It suggests that genuine beauty resides in the intangible realm, where emotions, feelings, and connections unfold. It speaks to the power of those silent moments that touch our souls, the unspoken words that hold profound meaning. Jesus is the inner beauty of God being seen by those who care more about what is on the inside of a person rather than what is on the outside of a person. Jesus is God’s inner beauty for all of us to witness.

The second quote that I remember from the book is this, “Being invisible isn’t about disappearing; it’s about finding yourself in the spaces others overlook.” This quote highlights the concept of invisibility as a means of self-discovery and liberation. The quote encourages individuals to embrace their unique qualities and make their existence known, even in the spaces where others may disregard or overlook them. It reminds us that true invisibility lies not in fading into the background, but in finding strength and purpose in unveiling one’s authentic self within a world that often fails to recognize its significance. This quote brings to light what Jesus did throughout his ministry: Jesus sought “to save and seek the lost” (Luke 19:10), to find those who were invisible, unseen, overlooked, and ignored. Jesus wanted those invisible to be seen for who they really are and not simply for who others thought they were.

So, we see God by seeing Jesus. Jesus makes the invisible visible. Jesus brings forth God’s inner beauty for all of us to witness. Jesus is letting us know that he wants all of us to be seen and he wants us to see those who others don’t see. After all, aren’t we all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), meaning that we too are attempting to make God visible through our actions, words, and love? Who is Jesus? Jesus is the physical and visible image of the invisible God. But that’s not all.

Movement Three: Jesus is the Firstborn of Creation

Second, Paul notes in verse fifteen, Jesus is “the firstborn of all creation.”

Paul’s not talking about Jesus being born first. Back then, the term firstborn was more about rank or supremacy. Back then, the firstborn got the wealth, status, standing of the Father. Just think about the story of Jacob and Esau. On Isaac’s deathbed, he summonsed Esau, the first born, to receive his blessing, not Jacob who was born second.  “Firstborn” is not about rank or who was born first, it is about having authority and power.[1]

A particularly important text for understanding this difficult phrase is Psalm 89:27: “I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.” This verse appears in a section of the psalm speaking of Yahweh’s covenant with David. It is perfectly clear from the biblical accounts of David that he was not physically the firstborn of his family. In fact, he was the youngest of his brothers (1 Samuel 17:14). This demonstrates that the term “firstborn” may be used in a figurative manner. Furthermore, the term “firstborn” is qualified with the phrase, “the highest of the kings of the earth.” This indicates that, in the context of Psalm 89, to be made “firstborn” by God means to be exalted to the highest place. Theologian Michael Bird says, “That Jesus is the ‘firstborn’; does not make him a created being. To call someone ‘firstborn’ is to say something of their primacy in rule, preeminence in role, and priority in rank.” Again, “firstborn” indicates authority and power, to be exalted to the highest place.

In John 1:2-14, we read of the “firstborn” of all creation. John tells us that Jesus was with God in the beginning (1:2); that through him all things were made and without him nothing was made (1:3); and he was life and life is the light of all mankind (1:4). Furthermore, John informs us, Jesus is the true light that gives light to everyone (1:9); for those that receive Jesus, who believe in him, they will become children of God (1:12); and Jesus is the Word become flesh and his glory is seen which is full of grace and truth (1:14). To be the “firstborn” of all creation is to be the light and life of this world, to be the flesh of grace and truth, and to know that nothing exists without the presence of Jesus Christ because he is the way and the truth and the life everlasting.

In a way, what Paul could be alluding to is what Isaiah described in his writings. The “firstborn” is one who “authority rests upon his shoulder, and he is named, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace…. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore” (Isaiah 9:6-7). Jesus is the “firstborn” of all creation because he is mighty, wonderful, everlasting, and seeks to establish peace and justice across the lands. Jesus is the “firstborn” because he is above and higher than all creation, even the angels. Jesus is the “firstborn” because he is the Son of God: he is Lord of all, he is Lord for all.

To be “firstborn”, to receive such a title, does not mean that one has to be born first in the family. To be called “firstborn” is to know that you are becoming like Jesus Christ. Returning to Andrew Clements’ book, Things Not Seen, “Perspective is a gift that allows us to see the world through a different lens.” By shifting our lens, we are able to observe situations, people, and places from varying angles, allowing for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diversity and complexity that surrounds us. Perspective compels us to challenge our preconceived notions, expand our knowledge, and embrace the richness of different cultures, opinions, and experiences. Through this lens, we are encouraged to cultivate empathy, open-mindedness, and tolerance, fostering a more inclusive and interconnected global community. Ultimately, perspective empowers us to recognize the beauty in multiple viewpoints, broadens our horizons, and grants us the ability to perceive the world in all its intricate beauties.

Jesus, the “firstborn” of all creation, is one who invites us to recognize his authority, but also to lean into his perspectives of what life needs to look like through his eyes. Creation is full of perspectives, because Jesus is part of this creation. Jesus is the “firstborn” of all perspectives: he is the one who makes creation come to life. Jesus is a gift that allows us to see the world through a different lens.

So, Paul is saying, there is nobody above Jesus. Nobody ranks higher than him. He is supreme. When it comes to creation, he’s over all of it. He’s the highest over everyone and everything. Nothing and nobody is better than Jesus because he is the gift for all things. Jesus is the “firstborn” because he represents authority, power, and is exalted to the highest places.

Conclusion:

As we continue to answer the question of “Who is Jesus,” may we strive to dig deep into our very soul and find a Jesus that strengthens our faith, grows our love, and allows us to be seen when we feel invisible. The Jesus you find is the Jesus you need right now, right here, today and every day. Jesus is someone that is both divine and human, loving and caring, comforting and supporting, but he is also someone who challenges, who strengthens, and who pushes you to see new perspectives. Who is Jesus to you?

Remember, Jesus is the redeemer and forgiver of our sins; but, he is also the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of all creation. Jesus is the image of God’s inner beauty and glory walking and talking among us. Jesus is the firstborn of all creation using his authority and power to help us see his many perspectives. Jesus is the Son of God, who was crucified, laid in a tomb, and rose three days later for you. Paul, through the people of Colossae, is witnessing a people who have lost sight of who Jesus is their life. We are the people of Colossae. The time has come to really think about who Jesus is to you and how that Jesus can help you become a better disciple today than what you were yesterday as you seek ways to build his church here on earth. Who is Jesus to you?

Let it be so…

 

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, we seek to know you more; we seek to see and hear you more; and we seek to know who you are in our life so that we can continue to grow our faith and walk in your footsteps. O Lord, receive this prayer. In your holy and mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Benediction:

Who is Jesus to you? Take a few minutes this week to contemplate that question and let Jesus guide you to an answer. May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; and May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, go forth seeking Jesus in your life. And all God’s people said, Amen. Amen. Amen.

 

 

[1] Additionally, the phrase prōtotokos pasēs ktiseōs (“firstborn of all creation”) is infamously highlighted by Jehovah’s Witnesses and others with Arian sympathies who claim that it teaches that Christ is the first and greatest of all God’s creatures. While it is true that the phrase is somewhat perplexing, the most fundamental principle of biblical interpretation demands that it be understood in the context of the whole of Scripture.